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President Barack Obama presented Mikulski with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.

"Back in 1966, plans were laid to lay a highway through some of Baltimore's most diverse neighborhoods. The new road seemed like a go. It was about to happen. That is, until it ran into a young social worker, and let's just say, you don't want to be on the wrong side of Barbara Mikulski," Obama said.

Whether you think of her as a former Baltimore city councilwoman or a current U.S. senator, history will remember Mikulski for obliterating a whole bunch of glass ceilings. She is currently the longest-serving female senator and the longest-serving woman in Congress.

Those who know her know that she is also a straight-talking, hardworking woman who wishes her parents were alive to see this day, and if they were, they'd probably tell her, "Don't rest on your laurels, keep working hard," which is one of her favorite anecdotes.

Sixteen others also received the honor at a ceremony at the White House.